Fender



l. M. KIRLIN Nov. 7, 1939.

FENDER Filed Sept. 27. 1957 INVENTOR.

IVAN M. KIRLIN Wt ATTORNEYS Patented Nov.. 7, 193% UNETE STATES mans iETEN'i FNQE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to the construction of an improved pneumatic boat fender, which is capable of resisting tremendous strains, yet extremely light in weight and easy to handle. An

5 object of the invention is to provide an improved boat fender which, in addition to possessing the advantages mentioned, is incapable of marring the finish of boats or fittings by abrading the same. Another object is to provide such a fender which may be stored very compactly, and which in addition constitutes a permanently buoyant life preserver.

Still another object is the provision, in conjunction wth such a fender, of improved elastic supporting means, so arranged as to prevent injury to the fender, or to the line by which it is attached to a vessel, due to rocking of the latterv while against a dock or wharf, and while the fender is trapped between the vessel and the dock. Still another object comprises the provision of improved means for suspending such fenders.

Another object comprises the provision of an improved pneumatic fender construction provided with an inating valve so positioned as to be guarded at all times against injury.

Another object is the provision of such a fender which is of very simple and inexpensive construction.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a fender constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, showing the manner of suspension thereof.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal and substantially diametric cross section, and

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure l, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figure 2, it will be seen that the main casing of the device comprises a tubular or cylindrical fabric element l0, which may be of canvas or the like, and reinforced or otherwise in accordance with the stresses which the device is to withstand. For this purpose ordinary fire hose, of large diameter, serves very well, the hose being cut into suitable lengths, and the ends drawn in and reinforced by annular ring-like reinforcing members i2, over which the material is folded, as shown in Figure 2, such arrangement providing constricted ends with axial openings of reduced size, the openings beingbounded by marginal beads. At one end the opening or mouth of the casing is closed, and tightly held between tends throughout that portion of the length of inner and outer washers I4, l5, respectively, clamped against opposite sides of the beads by a bolt ll, and a nut i8 threaded upon the outer extremity thereof at the end of the casing. The bolt carries a swingable supporting bail 2t. Similar clamping washers, P25-26, close the other end of the casing, such washers, however, having larger openings therein to permit the valve stem 32 to project therethrough. The valve stem is sealed to the bladder 35 to enable, inating' and 10 deflating the same. The clamping bolt for washer portions 256 may consist of an integral hollow stem pcrtion'ZA, carried by Washer 25 and having a threaded extremity upon which is screwed the clamping nut E8. A swinging bail Sil is also 15 pivoted to the nut 28. A conventional air check valve 35 and. valve cap 33 may be carried by stem 32.

Supporting straps It@ are sewn or otherwise secured to one end of the casing it, at diametrically opposite points. The straps are joined at a central point above the bail 2t, and at said pointv also secured to a third strap il attached to the bail, the fender being thus suspended at three points. An extension d2 of the three straps is connected to a spring element fifi, which may comprise either metal or elastic rubber, provided at its top with a ring 45 or other suitable attaching means for the supporting line 5B. I have found that elastic rubber reinforced with fabric webbing, of the character used for shock absorbers for aircraft, makes avery satisfactory body for the elastic element 44.

Over the exterior of the casing I0 is preferably fitted another cylindrical casing il, which exthe casing which is of full diameter. The outer reinforcing `tubular section ll is preferably securedV to the casing section lt, either by sewing or cementing, and is provided at its ends with folded reinforcing seams i3.

When the device is inflated, and suspended in the manner shown in Figure 1, it may be interposed between a vesseland a wharf, to prevent contact between them, and its resistance in- 45 creases greatly with compression. Due to the ability of the elastic suspending member 44 to stretch,vwhen the wharf tends to hold the fender against movement with the boat, as the latter rocks, no undue stress is imposed either upon the 50 suspending line or the fender, both thereof being thus protected against injury. n

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiment of my invention herein disclosed is Well calculated to adequately fulfill the objects 55 10 ment at one end of said casing having an aperture therethrough, a separate inatable bladder Within said casing, inflating means for said bladder extending through said aperture, and means unattached to the bladder for supporting the casing. 2. Means as set forth in claim 1 in which at least a part of said supporting means extends upon opposite sides of said inflating means and comprising guard means to protect the same.

IVAN M. KIRLIN. 

